Newsletter

To lead a ‘full & active life’ they must be able to travel for work & leisure - The Government must work harder to improve accessibility for disabled people across the nation’s transport networks, warns the Transport Committee in a wide ranging report.

In the some 11.5m people already live with a recognised disability and more than a fifth of them experience some difficulty when using transport networks.  So it’s essential that the Department for Transport delivers an ambitious Accessibility Action Plan.
Press release & links ~ Accessibility Action Plan ~ DPTAC  ~ Transport Direct:  Door-to-door journey planner (then click on: Need to add accessible transport option?)* Options selected ~ Transport if you're disabled ~ CAB:  Advice for disabled travellers  ~ LCD: Transport woes continue for disabled people despite Paralympics ~ RNIB:  Access to transport for disabled people still unacceptable ~ TS:  Free bus travel for people aged 60+ or those with a disability ~ TS:  Travel information for people with mobility difficulties ~ NI Direct:  Public Transport - Transport Programme for People with Disabilities ~ NHS Choices:  Concessions on public transport ~ TravelineCymru:  Travellers With a Disability ~ London Councils:  Disabled transport - useful links ~ Flying with a disability  ~ DO:  Unsure about travelling by train? ~ NRE:  Information for disabled passengers ~ FCO:  Foreign travel for disabled people ~ Airport parking ~ Accessibility improvements completed at 35 Tube stations ~ Wide-aisle gates at 180 Tube stations means more independent and quicker journeys ~ TfL launches competition to create accessibility apps ~ 70% of the Capital's bus stops now fully accessible ~ Dispelling myths on Blue Badge parking rules ~ Passenger rights: unfair refusals 'still a problem' for disabled air travellers says Commission ~ DfT weighs ways to access disability advice ~ Passengers to benefit from access improvements at stations ~ Guide dogs to be allowed to use moving escalators for the first time ever

The dawn of a New (caring) Age for the NHS? - The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) new programme of hospital inspections has started with inspections in London and Yorkshire .  The inspections involve significantly larger inspection teams than CQC has used in the past.  The teams – called inspection panels - will include doctors, nurses & other experts and trained members of the public.  They will cover every site that delivers acute services and 8 key services areas: A&E; medical care (including frail elderly); surgery; intensive/critical care; maternity; paediatrics/children’s care; end of life care; outpatients.
Press release & links ~The Patients Association Backs Calls for Openness about Staffing Levels ~ Future of the NHS rests on wholesale shift to an open culture warn MPs ~ CQC demands urgent action by Lincolnshire hospital trust and NHS performance managers after finding it is still failing to meet national standards ~ CQC publishes follow up report of investigation into University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust ~ Hunt sets out tough new approach to turn around NHS hospitals ~ Major national survey prompts CQC to call for improvements in community mental health care ~ DH:  Can nursing still be called the ‘Caring Profession’?

At least some Backbench MPs appear to be working hard looking after our interests - The Public Accounts Committee has published 4 reports, including:

* Early Action landscape review
* Improving government procurement and the impact of government's ICT savings initiatives
* Civil Service reform
* Integration across government and Whole-Place Community Budget
Press release & links ~ MPs publish report on the dismantled National Programme for IT in the NHS

Why is it that ‘Never Again / We have learned lessons’ always seems to end up with ‘Here we go again’? - Cllr David Simmonds, Chairman of the LGA's Children & Young People Board has responded to the publication of the serious case review into the death of Daniel Pelka.
Press release & links ~ Serious Case Review: Daniel Pelka ~ DfE:  Child Protection reform ~ Child protection: Schools want and need clear statutory requirements, not freedom to do their own thing ~ Serious case review panel established ~ Lord Carlile submits review of the Edlington Case  ~  WAG:  Consultation on new Child Practice Reviews ~ Ofsted reports on the protection of vulnerable babies and young people ~ Improving child protection by shining the light on good practice: how a number of Local Safeguarding Children Boards are showing the way ~ The voice of the child: learning lessons from serious case reviews ~ Learning lessons from serious case reviews 2009-2010 ~ Peter Connelly Serious Case Review reports published

IPCC seeks the truth - The IPCC Hillsborough investigation is examining police actions following the stadium disaster.  This includes how West Midlands Police, the force appointed to accumulate evidence for Lord Justice Taylor’s inquiry and the subsequent inquests, conducted its inquiries.
Press release & links – (Update on Hillsborough witness appeal)

The ‘end of the world is nigh’ in Glasgow, Suffolk & Yorkshire - Tests to ensure that the public can receive alerts to their mobile phone in the event of an emergency will take place in selected locations throughout the country this autumn.
Press release & links

Helping prevent local public sector from having to ‘re-invent the wheel’ - A major change in the way data can be updated on the Socitm Applications Register will ensure its future as the best source of accurate information about software & services used in local public services.
Press release & links

Do you know a person or organisation that has made a difference? - People are being urged to nominate community groups & volunteers who have made a genuine difference to their local area, the Cabinet Office announced last week, in the last call for 2014 nominations for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – (closes on 30 September 2013).
Press release & links

How strong would a ‘Scottish £’ be? - How much of the existing UK public debt an independent Scotland would inherit, and how it manages its debt are central to understanding its currency choices, according to new research from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR).
Press release & links ~ Related later press release ~ Scotland, Migration & the Referendum: Data & Analysis for an Informed Debate

Is the MPS hoping that ‘Plebgate’ will eventually disappear down a rabbit hole in Wonderland never to be heard of again? – Nine Metropolitan Police officers have been or are being investigated for criminal and/or misconduct offences as part of investigation Operation Alice.  Four others, who are not police officers, have also been or are being investigated. A decision by the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of any criminal offences is awaited.  Depending on the CPS decision the IPCC and MPS will then consider misconduct charges against the officers.
Press release & links

Are you innovative enough and ready to take a dive in Cambridge ? – The UK Science & Innovation Network is looking for Bangalore ’s most innovative biotech or medtech company, who are looking to expand their business internationally.  They are also looking for an academic with Bangalore ’s best biotech business or medtech idea! (Closes on 30 October 2013)
Press release & links

Andy McNab Confirmed as Guest Speaker at Free Security Summit - 22nd October, London - It's no secret - beating the bad guys can seem like an impossible mission………especially when they’re targeting sensitive data and invaluable IT assets. However, implementing a secure connected strategy, protecting your datacentre, network and endpoints could mean Mission Accomplished!

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Please note that previously published newsletters can be accessed from the Newsletter Archive

LGA responds to DfE children's homes data

Manchester to host Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games

Lung cancer test

Ofcom Chief Executive challenges industry to deliver on switching

All change for FSA e-News!

MoD:  Christmas post

UKFI advises Chancellor to begin selling part of government's shareholding in Lloyds

Government begins sale of its shares in Lloyds Banking Group

New commission to ensure future generations learn from the Holocaust

Ash disease found in Somerset

World Rally Championship brings economy benefits to Wales - (Wales Rally GB)

Arms Trade Treaty at the UN General Assembly

Demand for emergency financial help from the Welsh Government – Emergency Assistance Payments (EAP)

Multi-million beef & lamb trade deal opened with Russia – (Eblex)

Police & Crime Commissioners support campaign to tackle alcohol harm – (Police & Crime Plans focus on local priorities to fight crime)

RAF space monitoring station reaches milestone

The FCO university recruitment roadshow

Independent reviewer of benefit sanctions announced

Bringing people together through the arts

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme extended

Bomber Command crews honoured by New Zealand

Plastic bag charge set to benefit the environment

Government backs raft of schemes to improve ticketing – (Government to invest in flexible ticketing trial)

Cable announces plans to boost fairness for workers

Free school lunch for every child in infant school – (IEA - Universal free school meals are not the answer to rising living costs ~ CAB - Free school meals are 'good news for families')

Chief Secretary announces government action on tax avoidance & evasion

Search begins to find best organisations to tackle high re-offending rates

New ways of funding placements for social work students are put forward for consultation – (closes on 15 November 2013)

Law Commission: Sharing data between public bodies. What are the barriers?  – (closes on 16 December 2013)

Review of HEFCE financial memorandum with institutions – (closes on 6 December 2013)

New measures to strengthen UK’s competition regime – (closes on 11 November 2013)

FCA review finds evidence of life insurance & advisory firms ‘undermining the objectives of the RDR’ and consults on new guidance – (closes on 18 October 2013)

All public bodies to adopt SME-friendly business rules – (CBI responds to Government launch of SME procurement consultation) - (closes on 16 October 2013)

Call for evidence:  Trade union facility time in schools under review – (closes on 16 October 2013)

Disability plan for independent living in Wales revealed – (Consultation documents) – (closes on 20 December 2013)

Vulnerable older people’s plan: 1 week left to comment on proposals – (closes on 27 September 2013)

Additional Consultations:  Readers should be aware that many consultations are never publicised with a press release, so do not appear in either the email alerts or Wired - GOV Plus.  Many of these consultations (& subsequent conclusions) can be found at the following links:
GOV.UK consultations ~ Current ScotGov consultations ~ Recently added WAG consultations

TUC launches new guide to combat homophobia at work

DFID Research: The essentials for RDT implementation

Dreaming of moving abroad? Plan for the unexpected

Good food hygiene is good for business

Push for greater town hall transparency on trade union interests

New school uniform guidance published

Policy Exchange: Botched high street policies costing households £1,000

NHS challenged on stop smoking support for people with mental ill health – (Smoking & mental health) 

Green deal helping to make homes more energy efficient

Public Accounts Committee publishes Police Procurement Report

Worcestershire County Council told to review its complaints handling process

Failings by Cumbria and Barrow councils leave man unable to enjoy his home – (Report 11 006 104 & 11 001 341 Cumbria County Council & Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council)

Government must take action to tackle lack of clinical trial transparency, say MPs

Wales Audit: Pupil progress in Wales hampered by teacher absence – (The impact of teacher absence - September 2013)

Policy Exchange: Cut tax free childcare for wealthiest families to help poorest children – (PX:  Centres of Excellence?)

NLGN: What will localism look like in 2015?

Committee raises serious concerns about regulation of social housing

The King's Fund - NHS set to miss £20bn savings target

Making Space for Nature: Nature Improvement Areas demonstrate significant gains as first evaluation published

New tests show 1 in 4 struggling with spelling, punctuation and grammar

DFID Research: Evaluation News looks at HIV response

Violence against women & girls report published

Children treated like ‘slaves’ to perform sexual acts

Commission highlights benefits of foreign language skills for UK students & business

Scots students in Europe

ECB extends the swap facility with the Bank of England

Barnier vows to MEPs to press ahead with banking union

Mobility Week envisages cleaner air through alternative urban transport

Strengthening air passengers' rights while providing legal clarity to airlines

Organised crime, corruption & money laundering: MEPs table crackdown hit list

European Commission takes decisive action against legal highs

EU-China investment talks: no EP consent without transparency, Trade MEPs warn

EU-Serbia: On the preparations for next steps in the accession negotiations

Tackling cadmium in crabs

New measures to restore confidence in benchmarks following LIBOR and EURIBOR scandals

Sharing borders, Growing Closer: Celebrating European Territorial Cooperation

2014 draft budget: update in favour of students, businesses, research and to support Cyprus

Fight against fraud: new study confirms billions lost in VAT Gap

ECB implements loan-level reporting requirements for asset-backed securities backed by credit card receivables

Judgment of the Court of Justice in Case C-435/11

Swansea University showcases how EU-funded projects benefit business

£2m to tackle sectarianism

Funding to reduce deaths of babies born to teenagers

Cyclists complete Stonehenge fundraising challenge

CAB - Rising costs delay retirement

First Minister announces support for new Welsh First World War Memorial

Lottery backing gets disabled young people into the sport zone

Funding to help families

Faltering speed of delivery on infrastructure could undermine efforts to secure the recovery

Reducing energy demand & encouraging Scottish renewables

Cable – End of the line for dodgy company bosses

Cable announces plans to boost fairness for workers

Police & Crime Commissioners driving forward local plans for better police procurement decisions – (PAC publishes Police Procurement Report)

Government Carbon Offsetting eAuction

New measures to strengthen UK’s competition regime

Chief Secretary announces government action on tax avoidance & evasion

Last call for 2014 nominations for prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

FSA tender into listeria growth and survival

All public bodies to adopt SME-friendly business rules

OFT agrees reforms to UK defined contribution pensions market  - (CBI comments on OFT workplace pensions study)

Manufacturing recovery continues to strengthen – CBI survey

Revenue & Customs Brief 28/13
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has set out their policy on withholding repayment claims in avoidance cases. HMRC aims to stop tax avoiders from acquiring an advantage, even a temporary advantage, over the majority of taxpayers who don't try to get around the rules.

Revolutionary smart sensor technology is latest patent milestone

British Gas smart meter contract with Landis+Gyr

Major change to Socitm Applications Register

DFID contraceptive implant project wins international procurement award

£6m funding for local authority heat networks – (Welsh Local Authorities urged to seize slice of £6m pot to fund innovative energy solutions)

Swansea University showcases how EU-funded projects benefit business

A look behind the scenes on MoD operations

Scotland hosts international conference

STFC Town Meeting for researchers

DFID Research: Looking at sustainable development in a global landscape

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